Letter to PM Harper - First Nations and Bill C-45

The Right Honourable Stephen Harper

Prime Minister of Canada

You once stood against omnibus bills as a threat to democracy. Despite all criticism, the Harper Government regularly uses this approach. You know this is a tactic that thwarts the function of Parliament, yet you continue the practice.

The First Nations of Canada have alleged that Bill C-45 violates Treaty Rights. This is a serious charge and should have been debated in the House long before this budget and its long string of non-budgetary issues was rushed through. Now there are protests across the country and Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence holds her hunger strike to move you to listen. 

Parliament exists and functions to prevent this disruption to the country. By your actions, you have brought us to this state of affairs.

The Canadian people look to you now for leadership. It is time for an open discussion with First Nations and other Canadians that builds a consensus regarding our shared future. It is time for you to meet with Chief Spence. 

Sincerely Yours,

Tal Henderson

Toronto-Centre

cc/

Chief Theresa Spence, Attawapiskat Nation

Honourable Bob Rae, MP Toronto-Centre and Liberal Party Leader

Honourable Thomas Mulclair, Leader of the Opposition

Honourable Elizabeth May, Green Party Leader

Subject: Grave Concerns Regarding Omnibus Bill C-38

Sent to all Ontario-area Conservative MPs via http://www.leadnow.ca/13heroes

Honourable Members,

I lend my voice to the thousands of Canadians who call for the omnibus Budget Bill C-38 to be separated into manageable, reviewable, and debatable bills.

It is the responsibility and purpose of Parliament—comprising the governing party and opposition parties—to propose and challenge bills, to thoroughly review and debate their clauses, connections and implications. This is how we arrive at balanced and thoughtful laws that have been democratically enacted to meet the needs of the nation.

In Bill C-38, too many disparate items have been included which deserve scrutiny by committees who are equipped to deal with their specialist natures and those challenges they present not related to finance or the economy but which nonetheless represent essential public interests.

The construction of this bill is over-reaching, by-passes essential, qualified oversight and debate, and fundamentally undercuts the processes of our parliament and the democratic principles it is founded upon.

Like many thousands of other concerned citizens and echoing critiques from across the political spectrum and all corners of Canadian society, I wrote early to recommend the Government of Canada separate the thematic items of this omnibus bill for independent scrutiny, debates, and votes. Though unable or unwilling to answer the concerns of Canadians, and though the majority-position Government stands to lose little, the PMO has determined to ram this legislation through Parliament with almost no debate.

I have long held respect for the values of public accountability, integrity, courage and individual responsibility that Conservatives champion with their perspective. In Bill C-38, I see these utterly contradicted. As independently-accountable members of the Government, I encourage you to represent our voices—those of your constituents and the Canadian public—and work with your party to split the bill and start the process of debate.

With respect,
Tal Henderson
Toronto-Center

cc via email to:
Honourable Bob Rae, MP Toronto-Center
Right Honourable Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Honourable Thomas Mulclair, Leader of the Opposition
Honourable Elizabeth May, Green Party Leader

Omnibus Budget Bill C-38 (Letter)

Right Honourable Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Honourable Bob Rae, MP Toronto-Center

Sirs,

I feel it is important to voice that I strongly disagree with the omnibus budget bill C-38. Too many disparate items have been included here which deserve scrutiny by committees who are equipped to deal with their specialist natures and those challenges they present not related to finance or the economy but which nonetheless represent essential public interests. The construction of this bill is over-reaching, by-passes essential, qualified oversight and debate, and fundamentally undercuts the processes of our parliament and the democratic principles it is founded upon.

I encourage the Government of Canada to separate the items of this omnibus bill for independent scrutiny, debates, and votes, and to use the strengths of our system to arrive at the best legislation for the balanced needs of the nation.

Sincerely yours,
Tal Henderson
Toronto

The High Costs of Parking

Great article over at Slate about parking lots, which quotes a study by the University of California Transportation Centre (UCTC). From the article:

The cost of these spaces, measured... “in the form of adverse health impacts, building damage, and reduced agricultural production, to name a few,” ranges somewhere between $4 billion and $20 billion per year.

The private automobile - an idea whose time has GONE.